Cambridge Considering A Number Of Top Projects

When you use the phrase “community projects”, you perhaps unfairly think of a small group of locals people getting together to create a garden of remembrance or raising money to paint the community hall.

But not at Cambridge, where we are looking at some £550,000 of Section 106 money. This pot of money, so called as it is named after Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended),  comes from a legal obligation on developers to contribute to community schemes once a council gives planning permission for new developments.

A velodrome, outdoor theatre and Prisoner of War memorial are some of the ideas being considered by Cambridge City Council. A public consultation ends shortly, at which time a short list will be drawn up.

Cambridge sums up project options

With the proviso that approved ideas would need to be "both affordable and achievable within available funding". It has been announced that over 250 ideas were initially put forward following workshops with community groups a year ago. These included, amongst others, an indoor ice rink, a creation of a new nature reserve, and improvements to a number of local sports clubs and grounds.

Andrea Reiner, executive councillor for public places on the Liberal Democrat-led council, said: "We recognise there are a number of very big projects on the list, but it's all part of the process to generate ideas and not stifle residents' wishes."

Lewis Herbert, leader of the council's Labour opposition group, said it was important to draw up a timetable for any approved projects, and "not make promises to communities that the council is unable to keep".

Mrs Reiner added: "The whole system is set up to prioritise the projects and we will do that by limiting the number of those put forward."